From Alfred Vouk, Hubbards, Nova Scotia, Canada
Using the word “botched” to describe the landing of Japan’s SLIM lunar probe isn’t appropriate. You say that one of its thrusters failed during the descent. In spite of that, the plucky craft landed in one piece, sent some pics, went to sleep and then reawakened. “Off-nominal” or a similar word would have been a better choice (3 February, p 10).
The landing was historic. The fact that it touched down intact and highly accurately and that the engineers recovered from the accidental thruster failure make it an even greater accomplishment.
